Our Community Newsletter
Looking for some winter entertainment? Come watch the annual High School CTC Dodgeball Tournament, held on Thursday, March 3rd at 7:00 in the York Suburban High School Gym. High school teams will compete for the coveted 1st Place Medals and bragging rights. All proceeds will benefit York Suburban Communities That Care. For more information: ysctc.org
Greetings to the YS Community:
As we have now passed the mid-point of the school year, I would like to share a few highlights:
STATE OF THE DISTRICT — I am pleased to share with you that the State of the District is strong! A comprehensive report on the State of the District was shared with the Board at a recent meeting.
In summary:
The district certainly faces many challenges, but by appropriately utilizing our resources, we will continue to excel. Our strongest resources include:
To view an abridged version of the State of the District report, go to: http://www.yssd.org/Home.aspx
ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND CURRICULUM PRESENTATION — District administrators recently presented to the public an update of our curricular practices. While the transition to PA Core has posed significant challenges, our teachers and administrators have worked hard to support our students through these changes.
A representative from the state spoke to the audience and raved about the growth that our students demonstrate in the classroom. Using data from across the state, York Suburban stands out.
In this time of transition, we face new assessments with more rigorous standards. While we anticipate some growing pains, we have absolute confidence that the district will rise to these new challenges over the next few years.
SO YOU WANT TO BE A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER? — The district recently hosted a no-charge, public session informing participants on just what it takes to be a school board member. As we soon enter the primary election season, now is the time for folks to decide if this is an opportunity for them to serve their local community. Information is posted on the district website for anyone who may be interested.
Exciting things are happening across the district. Our students continue to perform well in the classroom as well as in a wide array of extracurricular programs. Come out and see them in action. We look forward to spring musicals, concerts, and athletic competitions. There are many special things happening and we invite you to be a part.
Your ongoing support for the York Suburban School District is appreciated!
We are YS Proud!
Dr. Shelly Merkle, Superintendent
mini-THON co-chairs Maura Brehl (left) and Ellen Eline welcome more than 300 York Suburban High School students to the event.
York Suburban High School’s second annual Mini-THON to benefit the Four Diamonds Fund was held on the evening of Friday, February 20,through the early morning hours of Saturday, February 21.
The event — chaired by students Maura Brehl and Ellen Eline — involved more than 300 York Suburban students helping to fight pediatric cancer through the “FTK” (For The Kids”) Mini-THON, which was held at the same time as the THON at Penn State.
Teacher Oliver Good was the faculty adviser for the Mini-THON.
The event featured games, food, and — of course — music and dancing. A Four Diamonds logo was featured on the lighted stage in the gymnasium.
This year’s total of $44,278.85 nearly doubled the amount of money raised at last year’s inaugural YS Mini-THON.
(From left) York Suburban School District Superintendent Dr. Shelly Merkle, York Suburban Middle School students Chadwick Brulia, Makayla Askey, Alexandra Papadiamantis, Devon Lonergan, Pietro Sciortino, and York Suburban Middle School Principal Dr. Scott Krauser. The banner — unfurled during a student rally — has been affixed to the outside of the school.
The York Suburban Middle School is the top scoring middle school in Pennsylvania based on the 2013-14 School Performance Profile Scores.
York Suburban Middle School had a score of 99.1.
In celebration of that achievement, a banner has been placed on the outside of the middle school and the York County Board of Commissioners has issued a proclamation congratulating the students, faculty, and administrators.
(From left) York County Commissioner Chris Reilly; York Suburban Middle School Principal Dr. Scott Krauser; York Suburban Assistant Superintendent Dr. Patricia Maloney; former York Suburban Middle School Principal and now Director of Educational Services Victoria Gross; York Suburban Middle School Reading Specialist Karen M. Page (representing the faculty); York Suburban School District Superintendent Dr. Shelly Merkle; County Commissioner Doug Hoke; and President Commissioner Steve Chronister.
Cast members of “Once Upon A Mattress” at York Suburban High School March 6-7 include: (On floor) Jacob Isiminger as the Jester; (first row from left) Mitchell Frantz, the King; Brady Pappas, the Prince; and Maura Brehl, the Queen; (back row from left) Nick Gati, the Wizard; Brandon Flemmens, the Minstrel; Julianna Kates, Winnifred; Gabriel Tyson, Sir Harry; and Anna Pavoncello, Lady Larken.
The rollicking musical “Once Upon A Mattress” is the spring show at York Suburban High School for three performances on Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7.
An updated version of the “Princess and the Pea” fairy tale, the show will be on stage at 7:30 p.m. March 6 and March 7 with a 2:30 matinee performance on March 7.
Ticket prices are $7 for students and $10 for adults. Golden Pass holders are admitted free of charge. The show is directed by Myrna Schaszberger.
The show, originally starring Carol Burnett, has had a number of revivals on Broadway and in television versions. With music by Mary Rodgers and lyrics by Marshall Barer, the show opened off-Broadway in May of 1959 and then moved to Broadway that same year. Television adaptations were broadcast in 1964, 1972, and 2005. A 1996 Broadway revival starred Sarah Jessica Parker.
The cast and chorus of “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” at York Suburban Middle School.
Cast members for “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” at York Suburban Middle School include: Front row (from left to right): Cheshire Cat 2, Sarah Murray; and Cheshire Cat 1, Livia Demopoulos; not available for the photo Cheshire Cat 3, Maggie Ayers. Second row (from left): Small Alice, Jillian Thoman; Alice, Isabelle Pemberton; and Tall Alice, Carianne Youcheff. Back row (from left): White Rabbit, Sophie Nicholson; and Mathilda, Kiralyn Coleman.
A musical production of Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland, Jr.” will be presented at the York Suburban Middle School on Friday, February 27, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, February 28, at 2 p.m.
The show is under the direction of teacher Molly McAuliffe.
Ticket prices are $3 for students and $5 for adults.
A York Suburban High School French student whispers into the ear of a first grade student at Valley View Elementary School to begin a game. Another student works with children in background.
Several students from Joseph Robinson’s York Suburban High School French class visited with first grade students at Valley View Elementary School. The high school students played games and read to the youngsters in French to expose them to another language.
Author Darby Jo Campbell reads to students at Yorkshire Elementary School.
Children’s book author Darby Jo Campbell visited with students at Yorkshire Elementary School.
A York County resident, Ms. Campbell is the author of “A Sniff in the Park” and “Mr. Sniff-A-Lot.” Her books, featuring the adventures of a dog, are written in rhyme with vivid color images.
All the students in the school had the opportunity to hear the presentation and meet the author.
The York Suburban Middle School team emerged victorious from the 2015 Battle of the Buildings.
The Battle of the Buildings was a big success on Saturday, January 31.
Before a packed gymnasium, representatives from each of the school buildings, the administration, and the junior and senior classes took part in a series of contests ranging from carrying goblets on a tray to tug-of-war.
At the end of the evening, the York Suburban Middle School emerged as the winners of the coveted B.O.B. trophy.
However, the biggest winner was the York Suburban Dollars for Scholars, the beneficiary of the evening. Ticket sales, collections, and concession sales for the event added up to more than $5,100.
The Dollars for Scholars Board expresses its appreciate to B.O.B. coordinators Jamie Evans and Eric Hoffman and to all those who volunteered time and energy participating on a team or behind the scenes, and all the students and families who attended.
The York Suburban Education Foundation will hold its sixth annual Celebration of Academic Excellence on Saturday, April 18. This year’s event will again be held at the YCHT’s Historical Society Museum starting at 6:30 p.m.
Guests will enjoy hearty hor d’ oeuvres, music and the opportunity to bid on many items during the event’s Silent Auction.
YSEF expresses its appreciation to this year’s 2015 Valedictorian Sponsors: The Turybury Family and Glatfelter Insurance Group. Sponsorship opportunities are available at many different levels ranging from $250 to $2,500, and individual tickets at $50 a person. Individuals or businesses interested in becoming a Celebration of Academic Excellence sponsor should contact Sarah Reinecker, YSEF board member, at sreinecker@comcast.net.
In addition to the formal invitations being mailed to all YSSD families and each staff member, look for more information on the YSEF website, www.ysef.org. Tickets to the event are $50. Checks can be mailed to York Suburban Education Foundation, c/o Wendy Berg, 1800 Hollywood Drive, York, PA 17403. Questions pertaining to the event can be answered by Wendy Berg at wberg5@comcast.net or 717-433-1559.
If individuals or companies have an item to be donated to the Silent Auction, they should contact Kathy Rodas at krodas71@aol.com or Claire Weaver at cweavercpa@comcast.net.
Monies raised for this Celebration event will fund future YSEF grant requests and the Foundation’s endowment account.
Spring 2014 Grants, totaling $19,013, were given to:
Christopher Adams, York Suburban High School, Heart Rate Fitness Assessment—Grant to purchase heart rate monitors. $2,138
Brian Ellis, York Suburban High School, Developing Habits of Mind—Grant to purchase 10 copies of “Leading and Learning the Habits of the Mind” and associated support material. $600
Leigh Foy, York Suburban High School, Virtual “Hands On” Activities for Anatomy and Physiology Students—Grant will purchase 24 3D Hands on Apps for iPad with associated probes and views. $1,960
Marcella Oathout, York Suburban High School, In Our Own Words—Grant to publish the book “In Our Own Words.” $1,000
Karen Albert, York Suburban Middle School, Edible Cars—Grant to purchase 20 motion detectors and associated ramps. $1,680
Laura Corsa , York Suburban Middle School, Active Learning and Chromebooks in the Math Classroom–Grant to purchase 24 Chromebooks, licenses, and required storage lockers. $8,691
Kellie Aughenbaugh, Valley View Elementary, Under the Microscope—Grant to purchase five microscopes. $550
Jessica Reimer and the Kindergarten Teams at Valley View Elementary and Yorkshire Elementary, Countdown to Kindergarten—Grant to help purchase Kindergarten bags. $2,394
More information on the YSEF grant process can be found on the YSEF website.
The York Suburban Education Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization providing funding for innovative programs that enhance the educational experience and foster continued academic excellence for the district students.
